Why I Work (only) 2 Days a Week and what is has to do with Jack Daniels
There are some quotations that remain with me and guide me through life. One of those special quotations is that of Earl Nightingale defining the meaning of success:
“Success is a progressive realization of a worthy ideal”
No matter what our goal and ideal is, if we continue progressing in an attempt to become better at what we do or become better in meeting our goal – this is success. It is a simple as that!
My story as an acupuncturist began after finishing the four year program back in the early 90’s.
I remember that my goal was to be a good clinician.
That was all I sought.
I knew that this will take some time, effort, and resolve. I saw different inspirational masters at work, and worked as an apprentice for quite some years.
The thing that guided me most was my desire to progress towards my set goal of being a good clinician.
I was working from my two and a half bedroom student apartment where the half room actually was a clinic with a bed, a book, a box of needles and an empty bottle of Jack Daniel’s Whiskey.
What I remember most during my first years as an acupuncturist was working from my two and a half bedroom student apartment where the half room actually was a clinic with a bed, a book, a box of needles and an empty bottle of Jack Daniel’s Whiskey.
This bottle had a special purpose: in this bottle I put my used needles, and I waited… I waited for this bottle to be full of needles knowing that when the bottle will be packed with used needles, I will have gained a minimum of experience as a clinician. The thing motivating me most at the time was to treat as many people as I can in order to gain priceless experience. I worked day and night, really crazy hours, but that was fine because there was a worthy ideal behind it all.
When I was first asked to allow apprentices to observe my clinical work I recall, most of all, how much I actually learned from this experience.
By explaining, sharing, and teaching I observed my own thinking and decision making process.
I then understood that I must continue sharing my clinical knowledge for two important reasons:
First, I have had the good fortune to study with today’s greatest masters; and, I have learned outstanding techniques of Palpation Diagnosis, Acupuncture – Japanese Style, and Soft Tissue Manual Therapy.
By teaching these techniques and systems to others I know that so many people throughout the world will benefit, will feel much better, and will be free of pain.
Thanks to my students and colleagues who, too, share this worthy ideal of treating people the best they can, so many people have benefited from high end, cutting edge techniques which allowed them to feel better and to be free of illness and pain.
This is very special and moving for me.
By explaining, sharing, and teaching I observed my own thinking and decision making process.
I then understood that I must continue sharing my clinical knowledge
Second, my realization was that the more I share my clinical experience with others and continue to learn more and more with the best masters, the more I get in return. So, I understood that my way of fulfilling my goal and “worthy ideal” of being the best clinician I can be, was to share my knowledge and experience with others.
I decided therefore to organize my week and schedule it according to a golden rule that I have made for myself:
Two days a week I work twelve hour shifts in my clinic; I run four rooms simultaneously with the help of four apprentices, each working a six hour shift. The clinic is full and busy; the days are long yet so fulfilling. I treat my patients with the aid of my staff, working with Acupuncture – Japanese Style and special Soft Tissue Manual Techniques.
Another two days a week I spend teaching my two year programs of Acupuncture – Japanese Style, and the remaining days of the week I dedicate to study and seeking more knowledge.
It is a give and take deal with the goddess of medicine and love 🙂
This is my success as Earl Nightingale describes it, and in order to continue this process of mine I intend to share my experience with a much greater audience.
I very much hope that you too will benefit from this, help those surrounding you, and share with others what you’ve learned.
Boaz Colodner